Camera knows best [outfit]

These outfit photos really need to be put in context.

I picked an outfit to wear last Thursday to volunteer at Dress for Success. I initially started out dressing business casual whenever I volunteered, until I realized I was looking really out of place so dressed up. So trouser jeans have become my go-to.

And then I saw the outfit photos and HELLO PINHEAD. Down came the hair.

Better. Off I went to volunteer, but the afternoon was cut short when the office closed early. With my latest Ulta coupon burning a hole in my pocket and a newfound passion for my eyebrows, I went shopping.

Two stores and an eyebrow pencil later, I'm in the dressing room at Nordstrom Rack when I notice there is a black pencil mark on my left boob. On a white shirt. Almost certainly from trying out eyebrow pencils on my hand. Darn darn darn.

Luckily I'm wearing a plain white tank underneath. So the shirt goes into the purse and this is how I go about the rest of my day.

Banana Republic cardigan - 2011 - swapped / Old Navy polo - old - cheap / Mossimo tank from Target - 2011 - $9 / Merona trouser jeans from Target - 2011 - $18 / Nine West pumps from Ross - 2011 - $25 / AE outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 on clearance

Do you tweak your outfit throughout the day? If you're a blogger, do you ever tweak your outfit after photos?

Seasonal situations and long-lost family [outfit]

BR Factory cardigan - 2011 - $12 on sale (similar) / Mossimo pocket tee - 2011 - $9 (similar) / Black Orchid gray jeans via Renew Denim - 2010 - $25 on sale (similar) / Classified flats via random mall store - 2007 - $10 on sale (similar) / Kate Spade doodle necklace - 2011 - gift (available) / Target earrings - 2011 - $6 (similar)

[Worn: 08.12.11—To: Work from home and to a casual dinner party]

It's summer here in Miami, but you wouldn't be able to tell by this outfit. Of my many, many quirks, one of the weirdest has to be my aversion to blowing cold air. Air conditioning, fans...I just can't handle it without being completely frozen regardless of the reading on the thermostat. I keep my apartment at 78 degrees and still wear pants and sweaters most days while K sits as still as possible to avoid sweating.  I sleep with a sheet and two blankets and sometimes still wake up cold when the a/c kicks on. From what I hear, the difference between summer and winter in Miami is about 8 degrees and a crapload of humidity, so I'm curious to see how the weather affects—or doesn't affect—my wardrobe as the seasons change.

That being said, this is actually a pretty dressy casual look for me (I put on earrings)! I've mentioned before how boring I dress out of the office, but you really don't want to see that, do you? There are a few examples in my road trip pics (ok, the Utah one is pretty dressy, too. See pics here). Why did I dress up for a day of working around the apartment? I had to be presentable for a dinner party.

You see, my mother-in-law's cousin lives out here, and even though they haven't seen each other in over 20 years, our contact information was passed to him through K's great-uncle, and we were invited to a casual dinner get together with him, his wife, and their friends. Being unfamiliar with the hosts and the fashion protocol for a "casual dinner party," I played it safe with gray jeans, flats, and jewelry.

Five hours and three servings of bobó (a traditional Brazilian dish) later, we finally headed home with full bellies and happy hearts. They may have been lost to us all these years, but wow, was it good to find some friendly faces. We went to church with them last Sunday, lunch after church, and are headed back there tonight for dinner. In just one night, we went from knowing no one in Miami to having a warm and welcoming family. It feels good.

What makes a new city feel like home to you? Does it take a while or are you an easy adapter?

Burst of color [outfit]

H&M cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar) / The Limited top - 2009 - $20 (similar) / Target skirt - 2007 - $6 (similar) / J.Crew belt - 2011 - $10 (similar) / Kate Spade pumps - 2011 - gift (similar here and here) / American Eagle necklace - 2010 - $7 (similar)

Outfit analysis: Red, teal, and pink? This color combination is pretty wild (compared to my usual), but I really, really like it! The belt balances out the full skirt, and the neutral cardigan and metallic heels anchor the colors. I originally picked out the top and skirt, and will probably try them together without the cardigan when it warms up.
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Thanks for the great advice, friends, on how to get out of a style rut. I ended up going the color route, as evidenced by this colorful outfit. I know, it's not super out-there, but just the fact that there are more colors than there are neutrals is a big step. I've worn teal and red together before, but the red is usually just a belt or a shoe.

I've been doing a major closet clean-out as we prepare for the move. I don't mean my every-few-months get rid of stuff I don't like type of clean-out. I'm talking the toss-it-if-I-can't-see-myself-wearing-it-in-Miami type of clean-out (also known as a get-rid-of-as-much-as-possible-so-there's-less-to-move clean-out). Aside from weather, one of the biggest changes happening when I move is that I won't be going into an office everyday anymore.

What the?? Yup. I've decided to try my hand at freelancing (writing, editing, social media, etc.) for a minimum of one year. Full-time freelancing has always been tempting, and I actually planned on doing just that when I first moved up to Sacramento, but with a student-husband earning a student-income, we needed something more steady, and I was lucky to find a great job rather quickly. Now that he's got a job of his own (making more than we do now put together), it's a great time for me to pursue my dream freelance career. When else will I be forced to quit my full-time job, still have a sustainable income while adding to our savings each month, and not have a mortgage, debt, or children to support? Sure, it will be challenging—I'm prepared for much discouragement and disappointment as I start out—but since much of my work is done online anyway, I'm hoping to use the networks I've built everywhere I've worked (Orange County, NYC, and Sac) as a jumping-off point. A one-year minimum will give me time to learn from my beginner mistakes and see if this is a viable long-term career choice. I plan on continuing this blog after I move, but there will definitely be changes (still working that out).

Any tips for the first-time full-time freelancer?

The librarian 'do [outfit]

BR Factory cardigan - 2011 - $12 (similar) / BR Factory tee - 2011 - $5 (similar) / Merona trouser jeans via Target - 2011 - $17 (similar) / Anne Klein Sarajane shoes via Macy's - 2011 - $25 (available) / Kohl's earrings - 2007 - cheap (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar)

Outfit analysis: This is my current go-to for cold and casual days, and there have been many, many of those recently. I feel like a walking billboard for the BR Factory Store, but hey, it was a good sale, and the colors of the pieces really go well together (not on purpose...both of these were impulse buys). I was a bit unsure of the loose cardi and trouser jeans combo, since I wasn't such a fan of it before. But the drape of this cardigan and the long points that it comes to on the sides helps create a diagonal cut across, which is much more flattering than the flat bottom of my other cardigan. In hindsight, pointier heels would have been a better complement to all the loose drapiness, but I had a lunch date to walk to that day and these mary janes are more comfortable.
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Way back in the day, I got a reader question about hairstyles for the office. It took me a while to get around to it (sorry, Lorena!) but I've been trying out some different hairstyles recently, and will be showing them more. This is one of my experiments from last week...I call it the librarian 'do because it reminds me of my elementary school librarian, Mrs. Van Ness. She was a super-kind woman with long gray/white hair, which she always put up halfway with a clip first and then in a bun or chignon.

What are your go-to hairstyles for the office? Send me a pic by next Tuesday (6/7) and I'll post a round-up next week!

Distractions and regressions

LOFT cardigan - 2010 - gift (similar) / A'gaci top - 2011 - $20 (similar) / BR Factory pants - 2009 - $20 (similar) / Enzo Angiolini peep-toes via Nordstrom - 2007 - $70 (similar) / Nordstrom pyramid stud earrings - 2010 - gift card (available) / Ball chain necklace (similar)

Outfit analysis: Another cold day in May...seriously? I finally got around to ironing my clothes and was sooo happy to put these pants back on after a long time away. I wanted to try this top with more tailored trousers, but it was too cold to go with short-sleeves so on came the sweater. I tried a little belt tricks from Academichic and wrapped the built-in waist-tie around the cardigan to give the outfit some shape. Nothing too exciting, but it did the job.
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Another belted cardigan. I've been regressing sartorially since I've been distracted with the whole move and transition. I turned in my formal resignation this week, giving them a 6.5 week notice. Sure, this long of a notice isn't required in any sense, but since I already told my boss, our CEO, and a handful of other folks, and the organization is currently working on the budget for next fiscal year so they can plan for it.

I have to say, this whole year has just zoomed by, and now it feels like the last month has just snuck up on me. K turned in his dissertation this week (YAY!), and it's basically go-go-go until we get to Miami. Every single weekend is booked...with good things of course!

By the way, did you enter the giveaway yet? It ends tonight (9pm Pacific)!

How do you get out of a style rut?

Tweaking the formula

H&M Cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar) / Ann Taylor outlet top - 2011 - $20 (similar) / Old Navy trousers - 2006 - $6 (similar) / Calvin Klein pumps via Off Broadway - 2007 - $70 (similar) / Boys belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / American Eagle outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 (similar) / Nordstrom stud earrings - 2010 - gift card (available)

Outfit analysis: It wasn't until I got home that I realized that this outfit is almost exactly this outfit, but with a different but still jewel-toned shirt and different but still pointy-toed pumps. You might call it a rut, but I call it having a consistent style (err, I will start calling it that, at least). But really, the proportions of this outfit work really well, so why fix something that's not broken? The best part is that this outfit formula works just as well for spring as it did for fall. An outfit for all seasons is all right with me.
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So remember the first time I dressed to go to the tailor at lunch? Yeah, well this is what I wore when I went back. In the back of my mind I was thinking of my lunchtime errand, and the pieces themselves aren't too complicated (the top has a lot of stretch so it's an easy on/off), but then I go ahead and put my hair up into this ponytail. It looks simple, but it has many parts. So there went my plan of easy undressing (not something I normally dress for, by the way).

What makes this ponytail so interesting? Well it's two ponytails—one on top (which I poufed up a big for body) and one on bottom to catch the rest of my hair without making the poufy ponytail too heavy and weighed down (my hair is not too long but it's pretty heavy). Then I took a piece of hair from where the ponytails met and wrapped it around both ponytails and pinned it. And it worked! Sort of. The poufiness stayed all day, which is no small feat for my limp hair, and no one was the wiser. Unfortunately my hair is layered so the wrapping was very messy, as you can see. Anyway, definitely a hairstyle to try again another time—practice makes perfect!

Oh yes, and my closet inventory from this weekend revealed a surprising fact—I have quite a bit of pink. three shirts, a tank, a scarf, and a dress. This may not seem like a lot, but it took me until I was in my 20s for me to even touch the color, so it's major progress.

Do you have an outfit formula? What item in the formula do you swap most often?

Blogging is beneficial

Style & Co. dress via Macy's - 2011 - $25 (similar) / BR Factory cardigan - 2011 - $12 (similar) / Nine West outlet boots - 2009 - $50 (similar) / Studded belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar)

Outfit analysis: I got this idea from a magazine ad, I just can't remember which one. I think the model had a floral dress and brown sandals, but I was trying to work with what I had and with the weather (another rainy day with highs of 60 degrees). I tucked the collar of the dress into the collar of the cardigan
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This is my new favorite cardigan. I think I've worn it at least three times a week since I got it at the killer BR Factory sale last month. So comfy. If I wasn't already married, I marry this cardigan.

It's been a weird week in my head. It's partially the weather, but also just a general exhaustion, hence the mini break from Sunday (when I wrote my Monday post) until Tuesday evening. While I was on my break, I was a major klutz and needed band-aids at least once a day (for new "injuries"). Sunday, I snagged a hangnail and was bleeding. Monday, I got a cardboard cut in between my toes (don't ask) and needed a band-aid again. Tuesday, my car handle opened up a small gash in my finger, and I bled through about three band-aids in the course of three hours.

Band-aid 1 on Tuesday, about 10 minutes after I put the band-aid on.

Lesson learned: Not blogging is hazardous to my health.

Are you a klutz or do you go through life pretty injury-free?

Speed shopping

H&M Cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar) / LOFT tank - 2010 - gift (similar) / BR Factory skirt - 2011 - $20 on sale (similar) / Mossimo pumps via Target - 2010 - $10 (similar) / AE outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 on sale (similar)

So remember the Saturday full of shopping I had planned this weekend? Well, it was quite the success! I headed to the outlets first thing in the morning (they open at 10 and I was in BR by 10:10) and in 1.5 hours I visited 6 stores, including 2 dressing rooms. I'm telling you--I'm fast. I go by my rules, and if there's nothing in a store that I need at a price I'm willing to pay, I'm outta there.

My favorite purchase by far was this skirt from the Banana Republic Factory Store. I mean, how much prettier can it get? It's got a gorgeous print, has a paper-bag-like waist (without being too trendy), is fully lined, and the fabric is so soft and isn't too wrinkle-prone (just a few made it through the day). It was one of only two in the store and the only one in my size. And all for $20 after the 50% off sale and my 15% off coupon. Alas, it is one of those items made just for the outlet, but I wish I could link you all to it.

I also made out like a bandit at the swap. My fave find: a fancy Anna Sui tulle and embroidered skirt. I don't know where I'll wear it, but I'll find a way.

What worked
The skirt! The skirt! The skirt! Can you tell I love this skirt? This color combo is pretty unusual for me, what with its pastels and softness. I'm more of a primary, saturated color person. I've also come to a peaceful existence with these heels. I wouldn't say they're comfortable, but they're certainly not painful anymore.

What didn't
I wasn't so thrilled with the top half of this outfit, but I wanted to keep it simple and let the skirt really shine. This tank is really a little skimpy for the office, and I was actually adjusting it all day long. Not a good sign. Thinking this is going into the weekend pile (or for layering under more covered items) in the future.

Do you shop the outlets? What tips do you have for getting through them quickly?

Simple with a twist

Gap corsage cardigan - 2011 - $20 on sale (available) / Mossimo dress via Target - 2011 - $20 on sale (similar) / Nine West peep-toes via Ross - 2009 - $25 (similar) / American Eagle outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 on sale (similar) / Target silver ball stud earrings - 2010 - $5 for two pairs (similar) / Belt taken off an old suit (similar)

The first time I wore this dress I went super-simple. I just wanted to see how it fit and lasted the day. Now that I know, I'm having some fun with it. And I just love how this turned out! Have you ever had one of those days? I just did. And I don't know if there's actually some look good, work hard cause-effect going on, but this was a productive day!

A note to those who suggested the straight iron Monday--I almost forgot I owned one! And boy were y'all right. This wonderful hair day is thanks to you (and the straight iron). I'm still wary of too much heat styling (my hair was traumatized by the body wave perm I did four years ago and I'm babying it to get it back to health), but I do think I'll be using the straight iron more often.

What worked
The dress. The cardigan. The belt. The shoes (showing off my pedicure from this weekend). The hair. The jewels.

What didn't
Nada. Zilch. There, I said it.

Do you think there is a tangible look good - feel good/work hard/great day effect? Does it work the other way, too?

Won't you be my neighbor?

LOFT cardigan - 2010 - gift (similar) / J.Crew blouse - 2009 - $20 (similar) / Merona trouser pants via Target - 2011 - $18 (similar) / Enzo Angiolini Maylie pumps via Nordstrom - 2007 - $70 (similar) / Banana Republic necklace - 2010 - $12 (similar) / Vintage braided belt - 2010 - $7 (similar)

Brr...it got cold again! I really love this sweater, but struggle to wear it since it's so loose. I've been in a flowy mood lately, so I went with the trouser jeans anyway, but I think the tucking and belting helped. I wonder what it would have looked like if I hadn't tucked but just belted the shirt like a tunic? Hmm....ideas, ideas.

What worked
I love the color of the shirt, which helped break up all the neutrals. I also liked how the necklace peeked out, although it is actually a little lower (see full-length photos for how it looked most of the day).

What didn't
Ehh...something about this outfit feels a little off. It also looks a bit old and frumpy. There's something very Mr. Roger's about it. Maybe skinny jeans next time?

How do you keep yourself from looking frumptastic? Suggestions for what you can do before you leave the house would be great (as opposed to when you take photos 12 hours later).

Best laid plans

Three dots cardigan via Anthropologie - 2010 - gift (similar) / Worthington ruffled blouse - Linley's (similar) / BR Factory trousers - 2009 - $12 on sale (similar) / Nina Paladin pumps via Ross - 2009 - $16 on sale (similar) / J.Crew belt - 2011 - $10 on sale (available) / Premier Designs faux pearl strand - 2010 - free with purchase (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar)

The last photo above is what I was planning on wearing. The top photo is what I actually wore.

So...I have a new word of advice for y'all. When choosing outerwear in the spring (or fall, or any other month where you'll be in air conditioning), consider the fact that you may not get to take your outerwear off at any point during the day. Otherwise you'll end up like me with a mish-mash of pinks and purples. Not a terrible look, I'll confess, but it wasn't what I had in mind.


What worked
I'm in love with belting a looser top for a nice relaxed silhouette. These pants are getting a bit tight at the waist, but the muffin top is safe behind the untucked shirt, and the belt keeps it from looking messy. And you know I love ruffles.

What didn't
Not sure how I like the flowy cardigan with the rest of the outfit. Like I said, I didn't intend to wear it this way. It did feel comfy, though! I also couldn't figure out the necklaces...in between the girls or on the outside?

Do you work your outerwear into your outfit or is it an afterthought?

Btw, this belt is a good example of what I'm talking about in my in-store tip on this week's shopping post. It's still $24.50 online, but I got it for $9.99 last week in store. The Gap top in my Facebook outfit this week is also a good example...I bought it 2 weeks ago in store for $13.99 and it's currently online for $29.99.

Tweaking and speaking

H&M Cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar) / Old Navy ruffled top - Linley's (similar) / Mossimo microrib tank via Target - 2011 - $9 (available) / Merona trouser jeans via Target - 2011 - $18 on sale (similar) / Gap belt - 2010 - $10 on sale (similar) / Enzo Angiolini peep-toes via Nordstrom - 2007 - $70 on sale (similar) / Yellow nail polish via Urban Outfitters - 2011 - $4 on sale (similar)

If you're following Linley (and I hope you are), you'll know that we recently did a roundabout swap. I lucked out an got Linley's package of clothes to remix and style. The package poured out a load of colors and fun fabrics, but this top stood out to me (and may even get a second pass before I send it back). If Sarah's leather shorts don't make it back to her, Linley's top might not either. I've actually already scoured ebay and Smashion to see if anyone else grabbed this top and changed their mind (no luck...yet).

I mentioned the nice high waist of these trousers before, but was searching for just the right top that wouldn't make the whole get-up too retro. Enter the ruffles and dots. About halfway through the day I realized I'd seen something like this before...on Linley. I was right: she wore a very similar outfit here. Thanks, Linley, for sending over some of your style in that swap package. I didn't even notice when it seeped into my brain. I may not give that back, either.

What worked
This would make a great Casual Friday outfit for offices that allow jeans. I wore this on a Monday (when most of the office folks were out of a conference and I was stuffing a lot of envelopes). I love the few pops of color on an otherwise basic outfit. Not only with the belt, but with my toes. Fun color, yeah?

What didn't
Hmm...not much, really. Maybe a better hair day would have been nice. :)

Have you ever recreated (intentionally or not) something you've seen on a blog or in a magazine or catalog?

Obsessed

Gap ruffled cardigan - 2011 - $20 (available) / Mossimo tank via Target - 2008 - $7 (similar) / Old Navy trousers - 2006 - $6 (similar) / Blake Scott heels via Off Broadway - 2010 - $40 (similar) / Studded belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar) / Rings on a chain, paperclip

I think I need to join a support group for ruffle-lovers (not to be confused with Ruffles-lovers, although those are also very good). When Gap held their annual Give & Get sale this weekend, I had to go. So I grabbed my umbrella and trekked the two blocks to the Gap in the rain (yes, I have a Gap within walking distance. This could get dangerous). This cardigan was one of the casualties. And it is so. soft. Like, so soft. And I've been jonesin' for some saturated blue, which until this point was wholly lacking in my closet.

What worked
The sweater! And the fact that I belted it. It's an open cardigan (no buttons), so with the volume of the trouser, a belt was totally needed to give the outfit some shape.

What didn't
Belting an open cardigan is trickier than it looks. See the paperclip in the last pic? Yup. That's the trick.

What are your favorite wardrobe tips for keeping stuff in place?

Officially spring (and more ruffles)

Ruffled blouse via Gottschalks - 2009 - $12 (similar) / LOFT cardigan - 2010 - gift (similar) / LOFT pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 (similar) / Nine West outlet boots - 2009 - $50 (similar) / Vintage belt via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 (similar) / Premier Designs faux pearl drop earrings - 2010 - $20 (similar)

It's officially springtime! And to backpack on to yesterday's post, here is an outfit I recently put together with the ruffled blouse (it wasn't uploaded yet when I wrote yesterday's post so I totally forgot to include it).  This is from last week. I woke up and was playing on my phone in bed, like most people do (right?), and I saw that LOFT had uploaded a whole Facebook album of bloggers wearing their cardigans. A light came on in my head--I HAVE one of their cardigans! Oh joy.

Now how the heck do I get in that album? I'm wearing a LOFT skirt, too. Pretty please?

What worked
The colors, the proportions. Especially with a sort of boxy skirt, the belt was a must and kept the look from being too frumpy. Keeping the collar open also helped (although now that I'm looking at it, I wish I'd worn a necklace).

What didn't
I think a thinner belt would have been much nicer. And maybe one that wasn't elastic. The cardigan kept pulling up and then poufing over the belt (see first photo above). But overall I really loved this!

Where is your favorite store/retailer  for cardigans? What is your favorite style of cardigan (v-neck, crew-neck, boyfriend, cropped, etc.)?

My frumpy valentine

Mossimo waffle-knit cardigan - 2010 - gift (similar) / Target dobby dot shirt - 2009 - $13 (similar) / Ann Taylor denim skirt - 2006 - $6 (similar) / Enzo Angiolini Siobhan pumps via Piperlime - 2010 - $35 (available) / J.Crew outlet belt - 2011 - $5 (similar)

What started out as a really awkward outfit turned out okay (don't you love when photos tell you differently than the mirror?).  I actually started out the day with thick black cable-knit tights, but I took them off once I got to work and realized they were bothering me. I thought that the dobby top and cable-knit tights would play well together, but I was wrong.  This is much better.

Oh, and this is also what I wore on Valentine's Day. What is with all the pink anyway?

What worked
This outfit was so cozy and comfy. I love this sweater, and the nude pumps work really well with bare legs. I just noticed today that the color of these shoes is "pale pink patent."  They don't look pink at all to me (although they did the other day).  How odd.

What didn't 
At times this outfit felt really frumpy.  I much prefer the sweater open, but it doesn't really have much shape to it, and the skirt is a bit large (but one heck of a bargain).  Might want to stick with more tailored bottoms next time I try a shapeless top.

Did you go festive for Valentine's Day? Did anyone in your office?

More of the same. Or is it?

 We interrupt our weekly scheduled advice post to bring you this special announcement.

 Is it a bird? A plane? 

No, it's the SUN!  And it's still out at 5:30 p.m. after I get home from work! This is a winter first!

 I am sooooo happy.

H&M cardigan - 2010 - $30 (similar) / Calvin Klein outlet top - 2009 - $20 (similar) / Loft pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 (similar) / Hue nude fishnets via Macy's - 2010 - $10 (similar) / Enzo Angiolini pumps via Piperlime - 2010 - $35 (similar) / American Eagle chunky chain - 2011 - $4 (similar) / Nordstrom pyramid studs - 2011 - gift card (available)

This outfit was inspired by Jaclyn of Sparkle Birds. The second I laid eyes on this outfit, I wanted to layer different textures in the same shade.  I don't have as many fun colors in my closet as Jackie does, but I do have lots of neutrals. So here is my neutral monochromatic look for the day. Not as fun as hers, but it's a start!

What worked
Studs! These are my favorite. I love that I now have earrings that sort of match my studded shirt. And these are my favorite shoes of the moment...shiny patent leather just melts my heart.

What didn't
You can't tell so much from the photos, but the tights and shoes did not jive with the outfit at all! These shoes are much more pink-beige than yellow-beige, which is especially noticeable against the yellow under-tones of my skin. And the tights are more brown-beige. Looked a little like death. But at least the photos turned out well! I also think the outfit would have looked much better without the cardigan, since it sort of dampens the sheen of the shirt, and the different textures are the key to this outfit.  Still a little chilly for that, though.


Is it hard for you to find neutrals that blend together? What tips do you have for a good monochromatic look?